There were ten quarterbacks taken in the 2026 NFL Draft, including two in the first round and two more in the third. In a remarkable turn of events, the first quarterback from this draft class to start an NFL game will be undrafted Kansas football legend Jalon Daniels.
On Sunday against the Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield dislocated his thumb and could miss at least three games. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that an MRI didn't indicate more damage to the thumb, but the veteran quarterback will still miss a few games.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield's MRI showed no additional damage on his dislocated right thumb, per sources. So, still likely to miss time but some relative good news based on testing. Mayfield will get a second opinion.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 28, 2026
The backup quarterback from the Bucs is Daniels, and he'll get a chance to prove himself worthy to be an NFL quarterback.
Former Kansas football star Jalon Daniels is one of the best stories in the NFL this fall
Daniels had a tremendous career at Kansas and was part of a core of players that helped pull the school from the depths of football obscurity. While Daniels' years at KU were marred by injuries and periods of uneven performances, he is still one of the greatest quarterbacks in school history.
While at Kansas, Daniels accumulated a decent resume. He played in 49 games over six seasons, completed 61.5 percent of his passes, and threw for 9,282 yards and 67 touchdowns. He was pretty good with his legs too, gaining 1,445 yards on the ground and scoring 23 rushing touchdowns.
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Over his career with the Jayhawks, he threw 31 interceptions, but 12 of those came in 2024, a season in which Daniels slumped through the first six games or so. He also had a tendency to fumble in key situations. It was these turnover issues and his inconsistency that kept him from getting drafted.
Still, his talent is undeniable. The Buccaneers grabbed him shortly after the draft as a free agent and brought him into camp. He impressed coaches with his intensity and joy of the game, but also with his performances in camp and preseason games.
During the preseason, he completed 61.4 percent of his 44 attempts for 239 yards. He added 37 yards on 14 carries, and he had one passing and one rushing touchdown.
From these performances in the preseason, Daniels forced his way up the quarterback depth chart. Tampa decided to take a chance and named him the backup to Mayfield going into the season.
Daniels did get in briefly at the end of the Vikings game Sunday after Mayfield's injury. It wasn't the greatest debut. He went 0-3 passing, with one interception, plus nine yards on one carry.
Buccaneers QB Jalon Daniels now moves into a starting role. pic.twitter.com/6vTYybncyh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 28, 2026
This week, Daniels will get the focus of his coaches and teammates as he prepares for the Green Bay Packers as QB1. The Packers are one of the biggest disappointments so far in the NFL season at 1-2. The Packers' defense has given up 91 points in three games.
Daniels needs to protect the ball first and foremost. He also needs to be patient and not bail out of the pocket too soon. Overall, he might be a better runner than Mayfield, but Daniel won't have the same experience as the injured signal-caller when it comes to when to run.
The fact that Daniels, the undrafted free agent out of Kansas, is the first rookie quarterback in this class to start in the NFL is a tremendous story. It appears as if Daniels will get at least to prove himself and to prove that the Bucs didn't make a mistake putting their faith in him as the primary backup to Mayfield.
If he is successful and can prove himself a viable option as an NFL backup, this story will be even better. Daniels has the talent; now we'll see if it translates to the field.
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